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Original poster

Advice on what I should do about my 1 year old dog

65 replies

Lolaandnova · 14/06/2021 00:22

Hi everyone,

First time posting, so I apologise if I've posted in the wrong place or anything!

We bought a female golden retriever (Lola), from a girl who didnt want her anymore (she said she was moving - I don't think that was true). Lola was 10 weeks old when we got her and she is now only 12 months old.

Eventually, after a few months we took her to the vet because she was limping and we found out she has double hip dysplasia in both back legs. We were willing to pay £16,000 and our insurance was only £1000 a year since we didnt expect a dog to get so sick that quickly.

We took her to Noel Fitzpatrick (supervet) for both her double hip replacement surgery, but while we were there he also diagnosed her with double elbow dysplasia in both front legs, and this would required a further £5000 one elbow and £500 for another. Later on, the better elbow would require the £5000 surgery.

In total she will have to have 4 surgeries and about 8 months of recovery in a cage. Noel Fitzpatrick said it would improve her current quality of life but she still has osteoarthirtis (arthritis)

It would cost us over £25,000 to £30,000, 8 months of surgery and recovery and possibly more later, and constant arthiritis management. He did say he has no idea how quickly her arthiritis will spread and how long she has before it cripples her. The operations would just delay everything or possibly delay.

We have no idea what to do and are considering euthanasia as we cant see her wanting that many operations and even with the ops, her quality of life would most likely drop. She has a brother (not same litter) who plays quite rough, which would need to stop, and I imagine no big walks either.

We have no idea what the right decision is and are really struggling.

Also, after telling the girl we purchased from, and asking for breeders address to report, she has blocked us and stopped replying. She did give the breeders number ages ago and he never replied, and now is saying he never sold puppies and won't answer calls.

Does anyone know who we can report him and her to? And please give advice on what to do with our poor baby girl?

Should we pay for the operations in hopes that she improves and possibly gets to live a longer life? Or should we euthanise and not put her through the 8 months of ops and recovery and then arthiritis? Would you do it if money wasn't an issue?

Thank you for reading this and sorry for the long read :(

OP posts:
stayathomer · 14/06/2021 00:27

Oh god OP, sympathies to you, our retriever had issues like that and had to be pts but he was 16 and couldn't stand. We were told it's common in the breed but in later life. Personally I'd be leaning away from the surgeries but I feel awful saying thatFlowers

Honeyroar · 14/06/2021 00:29

What a horrible place you’re in. Such a difficult decision. You’ll get lots of people on here telling you to give her a chance, but I think I’m probably with you in that I’d be thinking possibly put to sleep. She’s had a great year with you, but her future is unstable and it’s a huge amount of money for a maybe. Sometimes I think having insurance means we continue trying when we should gracefully give up. Having said that it’s hugely upsetting. I’m sure the previous owner knew and passed her on for that reason, but there’s not much you can do to prove it.

ScrollingLeaves · 14/06/2021 00:31

This is so sad, but in your position I would definitely decide on euthanasia. Think what the poor dog would have to go through - 8 months of recovery in a cage and all those operations. The costs are huge too especially as it would only delay further deterioration.

If you do put her to sleep I think it is best to ask the vet to come to your own home, and have a first injection that makes her unaware of what’s happening ( ketamine I think).

How upsetting. You are evidently giving her a lot of love and care.💐

Twillow · 14/06/2021 00:37

@ScrollingLeaves

Good advice.

No one would judge you badly for euthanasia under these circumstances, I think. It's very sad.

Perching · 14/06/2021 00:37

I have a goldie and I think 8 months crated would be akin to torture for him. You have clearly had the best advice. If I were you I would keep her happy on painkillers and meds for as long as possible and the pts when the pain becomes to much.
Sadly I don’t think there is a single thing you can do about the so called breeder.

lljkk · 14/06/2021 00:40

That's awful situation to be in :(.

Can her conditions at all be managed with painkillers, for at least a little while? Or is it pure downhill for her to try to continue without surgeries. You've only described limping.

notapizzaeater · 14/06/2021 00:41

My dog did both cruciate ligaments in a couple of weeks, once one had gone our vet spoke to us about having him PTS or allow it to heal naturally. 2 weeks later the other went leaving him unable to stand up. We rushed him to a different emergency vet who told us he'd operate on both at the same time. Cost us £8k (insurance covered 1.6k) but he was crippled afterwards, could only walk 4/500 yds at a time, was on perm pain meds was horrible, poor dog was depressed. They never should have offered the surgery, if I went back I would never have put him through it - they don't understand why they are in pain, on bed rest, short walks etc. I didn't begrudge the money and if it had 'cured' him it would have been priceless but it didn't and he was in pain the rest of his life suffering.

At this age it's a long bloody time to be in pain when they won't understand. We had to crate our (now 1 yr old puppy) fir a month with a cut paw and stitches, it was a really long month !

Original poster
Lolaandnova · 14/06/2021 01:08

I'm sorry for your loss, and thank you for replying. It's honestly been a really hard week trying to process this all

OP posts:
Original poster
Lolaandnova · 14/06/2021 01:11

I agree, I think the breeder and the girl definitely knew beforehand. But thank you so much for replying

OP posts:
loubieloo4 · 14/06/2021 01:16

So sorry 😞

I would pts, the thought of her going through all of that in 8 months and probably being painful with the chance of her then being in more pain in the future.

Original poster
Lolaandnova · 14/06/2021 01:18

Thank you to everyone replying, it's really helped. I think I knew what I should do but I've been feeling really on the fence about it and guilty, so as hard as it is to read, your replies have helped me a lot so thank you so much. More opinions are welcome, It helps hearing what other people think

OP posts:
Secretusername3 · 14/06/2021 01:18

I’d get advice from the RSPCA and tell them everything. They will advise or refer - perhaps a shelter would take, perhaps putting down however they would have some useful input.

Original poster
Lolaandnova · 14/06/2021 01:23

@lljkk

That's awful situation to be in :(.

Can her conditions at all be managed with painkillers, for at least a little while? Or is it pure downhill for her to try to continue without surgeries. You've only described limping.

The surgeries will fix the problems with her legs but the arthritis can't be cured, she would just be on painkillers and anti inflammatory medicines and they don't know how much that will relieve the pain. She isn't just limping, she only 1 but gets tired really quickly and can't play for long and when the vet moved her legs, she looked quite uncomfortable. Basically her dysplasia has caused arthritis, which is causing her pain in her hips and elbows
OP posts:
Original poster
Lolaandnova · 14/06/2021 01:28

@ScrollingLeaves

This is so sad, but in your position I would definitely decide on euthanasia. Think what the poor dog would have to go through - 8 months of recovery in a cage and all those operations. The costs are huge too especially as it would only delay further deterioration.

If you do put her to sleep I think it is best to ask the vet to come to your own home, and have a first injection that makes her unaware of what’s happening ( ketamine I think).

How upsetting. You are evidently giving her a lot of love and care.💐

Thank you
OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 14/06/2021 01:28

Life long dog owner here and I would definitely have the poor thing put to sleep. I've been in this position so know how hard it is.

LEMtheoriginal · 14/06/2021 01:55

Vet nurse here - just because you can do something, it doesn't mean that you should. Some people will quite happily take your money though.

8 months cage rest with no guarantee she wont be in constant pain for the remainder if her life doesn't sound like a great outcome to me.

Mrsmophead · 14/06/2021 02:04

What a heart breaking situation you're in. The kindest thing to do for your beloved dog is to let them go. My dog isn't a goldie but I know 8 months crate rest would be absolute torture Flowers

Mrsmophead · 14/06/2021 02:05

Torture for him. He loves being out and about sniffing everything.

Dazzel26 · 14/06/2021 18:17

You know Liam this is the right thing to do for her, don’t let your heart rule your head

nimbuscloud · 14/06/2021 18:28

I think Pts is the kindest thing to do.

DoubleTweenQueen · 14/06/2021 18:35

I'm just so so sorry you're going through this. I can't imagine how hard this is for you. Whatever you decide, she's been blessed to at least have had a loving owner for the majority of her young life x

Eachpeachpears · 14/06/2021 18:35

Even before I got to the end of your post I was thinking "put the poor thing to sleep". It's awful and an incredibly difficult decision to make but 8 months of crate rest with no guarantee of a pain free life afterwards sounds awful for the dog.
I'm sorry you're in this position, be kind to yourself.

Jubilate · 14/06/2021 18:35

I'm afraid I'm in the PTS camp too. You can't explain to her what is happening. She will only know that she keeps having traumatic and painful procedures. I agree with PP can doesn't always mean should.

Having her euthanised will be horrifically painful, but you will get over it, and IMO safe in the knowledge you put her well-being first.

AdelindSchade · 14/06/2021 18:36

I'm so sorry this must be awful for you. I agree with others that euthanasia seems the kindest way to go, even if money was no object.

DoubleTweenQueen · 14/06/2021 18:38

If the breeder is registered with the Kennel Club, you can report them there - how much point depends on what profile/status of recognised breeder they have with KC
Not sure what other recourse, sorry x

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